Too Little Too Late: Goodbye Chris Paul

Chris Paul’s 6-year campaign with the LA Clippers is over. Before sending him off to Houston, there are a few things that need to be said.

It’s time to say goodbye to the Point God.

Thank You

Thank you for being our leader. Every single year you’ve been with us, you steered the ship. Through calm seas and the more common, turbulent waters, you were here to keep the boat afloat. We always knew that as long as you were on our side, there was a fighting chance. You did the job of leading a team, our team, as well as anyone could.

Thank you for guiding us in the right direction. Before you arrived, we were just a budding, inexperienced team that had never tasted success. Upon your accidental arrival, you gracefully fell into your role as the leader of this team. You turned something that wasn’t even supposed to happen into something that felt like it was meant to be.

Thank you for making this team what it was. You left your mark on the Clippers by shaping us into something new. And the result of that was the creation of something that will never be forgotten: Lob City. It was more than just a style of play; it was a state of mind and energy that could only be understood by those who watched. Even after we tried to shed that moniker, that dynamic was something we could never truly get rid of. It was our bread and butter, and something that always remained a part of our identity, thanks to you.

Thank you for always giving it your all. Never once did you give any less than 110%. You put your heart and soul into this game every single night, leaving it all out on the floor. You did your best at making sure we could come out on top. And that’s really all we could ask of you.

Thank you for giving us your best years. Even though you arrived in L.A. at the peak of your dominance, you still somehow managed to refine your skills even more with each new season. There’s no facet of this game that you’re bad at, and it was a privilege to watch you play for us while you developed into one of the greatest point guards of all time.

Thank you for never giving up on us, even in times when we gave up on ourselves. It really did take everything: the bossiness, the intensity, the yelling and screaming and arguing, all the tough love. Every bit of it was needed for this team, for we’d be steps behind if you were any easier on us. But most of all, it took patience.

We owe it to you not to look at your departure as giving up, but simply as moving on.

Goodbye

There will always be an air of uncertainty surrounding the Chris Paul-led Clippers. How good was this team really? When were they at their peak? Was it the Clipper Curse or just plain bad luck? Why couldn’t they figure things out? How far could they have gone at their best? These will all be questions left unanswered, forever.

But if there’s one thing that was for sure, it was you. The impact you have had on this team, this city, and the fans is a sure thing. The hard work you put in to better yourself and your teammates is irrefutable. You are greatness personified, and that is something Clippers fans will never forget.

As we bid farewell, I urge you to never forget the good times you had, the relationships you made, and the lessons you learned as a LA Clippers’ player.

Next: Suns interested in Blake Griffin

Best of luck with your new team and any other future endeavors.

Godspeed,

–a Clippers fan